Little Squiggles Childcare
Ofsted Registered Childminder
DOWNHAM MARKET NORFOLK
Food and Nutrition...
​
I regard snack and meal times as a particularly important part of the day.
Eating represents a social time for children and adults and helps children to learn about healthy eating.
I provide nutritious food at all meal times avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt, artificial additives, preservatives, and colourings.
I provide homemade meals as much as possible, including homemade soups and breads.
​
My aim is to provide children with a healthy, balanced, and tasty diet using a variety of colours, textures, tastes, and foods from different cultures.
​
The children all sit together to eat and are encouraged to use good manners whilst eating such as not speaking with food in their mouths, using knives, forks, spoons correctly, sitting nicely at the table and not messing around whilst eating etc.
Children will also be encouraged to help at meal times like laying the table and helping to prepare simple foods such as sandwiches and salads. The children also enjoy baking treats from time to time!
​​
Light snacks are provided during the day, for example: -
Fresh fruit & vegetable sticks– great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre!
Healthier homemade flapjacks – Oats are high in antioxidants; I use banana’s dates and maple syrup as a replacement for refined sugar
Wholemeal pitta & homemade hummus
Rice cakes, cheese, banana bread, ham and cheese egg muffins
Homemade mackerel or sardine pate with breadsticks – Sardines are full of Omega 3 fats, fantastic for brain function!
Homemade trail mix - Sunflower seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, coconut chips, rice puff, chopped dates, cranberries
Fresh water is always available, and children are encouraged to help themselves.
​
Breakfast:
Porridge with honey (if over 1) or with pureed fruit
Cereal with whole milk / Wholemeal toast with egg, peanut butter, marmite or jam
Homemade pancakes or waffles with full fat Greek yoghurt and fruit
Fruit or Full fat Greek yoghurt with honey
Whole milk, water or homemade fruit smoothie
​
Lunch/Dinner:
Savoury wraps – Tuna, Ham, Cheddar or soft cheese – picnic style lunch
I will take a picnic out for lunch if we are out and about ...
Homemade soup with homemade bread
Shepherd's pie/Fish Pie/Cottage pie
Pasta Bake/ Spaghetti Bolognaise / Very mild chilli with rice or homemade wedges
Sausages with mashed potato & vegetables
Noodles with chicken & vegetables
Cod or Haddock (Breaded or plain) with potatoes, cous cous, steamed vegetables
(Vegetarian options are always available if required)
Desserts:
Fresh fruit or Full fat Greek Yoghurt / Homemade rice pudding – using whole milk
Example Menu
